Italy brought to a standstill as workers strike against austerity cuts

Protestors brought Italy to a standstill today as workers launched a general strike against sweeping austerity cuts and pay freezes.

A nationwide strike brought Italy to a standstill (Picture: AP)

Members of the countryâs largest union shut down air, land and sea transport, stalled manufacturing and restricted access to government services.

Ministers scrambled to bolster the £40billion package amid international pressure to balance the books, proposing a one per cent rise in VAT and an extra three per cent levy on incomes above £440,000.

Italy, which is the third largest economy in the eurozone, is on the brink of a Greek-style collapse as its debt nears the Â£1trillion mark â 120 per cent of GDP.

Hospital workers and bank tellers also joined picket lines, while proceedings at the appeal trial of US student Amanda Knox in Perugia were held up as jury members struggled to travel to court.

âWe are on the edge of the abyss,â CGIL union leader Susanna Camusso told a rally in Rome. âWe are striking against measures that are unjust, irresponsible and put all of the burden on public-sector workers.â

Earlier, prime minister Silvio Berlusconi insisted education and health cuts were the best way of tackling the deficit.

But, facing infighting within his coalition, he called for unity and urged political leaders to come up with âmore efficient measuresâ, citing âalarming signsâ that the crisis is worsening.